Odawna Market Engulfed by Fire as Floodwaters Cut Off Rescue Access

A devastating fire has broken out at the Odawna Market in Accra after torrential rains triggered widespread flooding across the Greater Accra Region, leaving firefighters struggling to reach the scene.

The heavy downpour, which began in the early hours of Monday, June 29, 2026, caused major roads and storm drains across the capital to overflow, submerging several communities and disrupting movement.

According to reports, the Odawna Market caught fire at the height of the flooding, creating a double emergency as floodwaters blocked all access routes to the market.
The flooding has made it nearly impossible for personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and other emergency responders to access the scene and contain the blaze, raising fears that the fire could spread further.

Some traders who had arrived at the market before the rains reportedly became trapped by the rising floodwaters as the inferno continued to threaten lives and property.
The incident has revived painful memories of the June 3, 2015 disaster at Circle, where floods and a fire at a fuel station claimed hundreds of lives, marking one of Ghana’s deadliest tragedies.

Preliminary reports suggest the flooding was caused by the Odaw River overflowing its banks, coupled with large volumes of water flowing from upstream communities into the capital.
Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the fire or the extent of damage, while rescue efforts remain hampered by the severe flooding. Residents have been urged to stay away from affected areas and cooperate with emergency officials as the situation unfolds.